If you think bruschetta isn’t perfect for a bbq, let me tell you why it is. It’s quick, easy and you can grab a piece and continue chatting with your friends.
I served this a few weeks ago at a barbecue and it was the first thing finished and everyone raved about it! Not only that, but it fit in perfectly with the more traditional bbq dishes, and since I brought this, I knew I would have at least one vegan thing there to eat.

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grilled tomato bruschetta

Prep Time

10mins

Cook Time

5mins

Total Time

15mins

highlighting the best of summer, this bruschetta is a must for your next bbq. With fresh tomatoes and basil, this gorgeous dish comes together in minutes and is a sure crowd pleaser.

Course:
Appetizer

Cuisine:
Italian

Servings: 6

Ingredients

1baguettesliced diagonally into 1 inch slices

2 Tbsolive oildivided

1 clovegarlicminced

1 1/2pintsgrape or cherry tomatoesthinly sliced

1/2cupbasil leaveschiffonade cut, plus more for garnish

salt and pepperto taste

1Tbsbalsamic glazeoptional

Instructions

heat grill to medium heat, brush each side of bread will olive oil and grill 2 minutes each side, or until golden brown, then allow to cool. combine remaining ingredients in large bowl, spoon mixture onto each slice of bread. garnish with additional basil and drizzle with balsamic glaze if desired. serve immediately.

We are so lucky to live in So-Cal, enjoying gorgeous weather and scenery daily! Sometimes though, amazing things are happening around us and we don’t even know about them. Sometimes we are a tad spoiled by living in such a wonderful place that we miss out on some great events.
Enough is enough! It’s time to enjoy what makes California so great again!* and in case you don’t live here, not to worry, this will help you plan your visit*

Maybe you’re like me and have been to Newport Beach before, but have you REALLY seen all it has to offer? I didn’t know about these great Holiday events and I can’t wait to go this year and share some So-Cal magic with my girls.

With thanksgiving just around the corner, are you panicked with what to serve? This meal came together in minutes, looks wonderful, and will take on any “traditional” t-day meals out there! Using thyme and cranberries in the dishes as well as decor means you have more time to enjoy the holiday. My gang was thrilled to help with this post, a delicious pre t-day warm-up.

I’ve always loved Thanksgiving and was content eating all the side dishes, but the Gardein Turk’y cutlets and gravy are SO good they took center stage of this meal. They also have a Gardein Holiday Roast which I am hoping to get soon and tons of healthy vegan recipes on the website!

in a large pot, bring water to a boil, enough to cover green beans. add beans and boil 4-6 minutes, just until tender, drain and immediately place in an ice bath to stop the cooking process. drain again and set aside. in a large dry skillet, toast almonds over medium low heat until lightly golden. add olive oil, green beans, and cranberries tossing to coat and until warmed. drizzle with lemon juice, add salt and pepper. may be served warm or at room temperature.

Cran-Ginger Cocktail: * I made a virgin one for the kids, simply omit the vodka

in a glass of ice, mix vodka, cranberry juice and ginger ale. garnish with fresh cranberries and thyme.

A few tips to make your Thanksgiving stress free and enjoyable
1. dress the table with beautiful herbs and berries used in your meal
2. stick with a few great fresh ingredients, I chose to highlight thyme and cranberry
3. assign a dish to a guest if possible, the meal is always better when everyone helped to make it
4. get the kids involved, each of my girls is responsible for one dish on the table
5. make a pitcher drink, like the can-ginger cocktail above, in a larger scale that everyone can pour on their own

*in the spirit of being totally out of time, I am posting my iPhone photo ;)*

Fall is the perfect time for soothing, warm soups. It’s also freaking crazy busy! Costumes, decorations, parties, recitals and I am out of time for some fancy thing to entertain with tonight. 5 minutes pumpkin soup to the rescue, with fresh sage and a beautiful appearance, everyone will think it was a labor of Autumn love- ha ha.

Pair with a salad or crusty bread for a complete meal, or serve as an appetizer , any way you have it you can’t go wrong! If you are interested in other pumpkin recipes, check out my thai pumpkin soup, pumpkin sage pasta, or pumpkin granola. Can you tell that I really love pumpkin?!

As I am generally cooking for kids as well as adults, I tend to keep the base recipes fairly simple and add red pepper flakes to the adult servings. If just making for adults, feel free to spice it up!

It’s taco Tuesday, yippee!
Chances are that Tuesday’s may not be the most popular day of the week for you and your family, so let’s change that with a super quick and super delicious fishless taco, cilantro slaw dinner. I’m talking 15 minutes start to finish for a healthy family friendly meal that looks this good.

Just in case you STILL haven’t tried Gardein, here’s a coupon to get you started on your garden + protein Gardein adventure!
With 9 grams of protein, 32 mg of omega 3’s and zero cholesterol, these fishless filets are an easy and healthy addition to your weeknight-need-a-quick-dinner routine!

Tori-I love that you put the recipe at the top of the page! I always get frustrated scrolling down to the bottom of recipe blogs. The pictures make this look so yummy. Can’t wait to try it!

September 23, 2015 - 3:41 am

Zoe-I have never heard of fishless fish fillets but love the idea of fish free fish tacos!
Does it taste good? I’ve never seen this product in Oz…

September 23, 2015 - 4:35 am

Yolanda Rooney-These are beautiful! I am going to see if my grocery has the Gardein fish filets. I don’t think I’ve seen those before. Thanks for sharing the vegan recipe! It’s nice to have fresh ideas.

September 23, 2015 - 11:38 am

Shashi at RunninSrilankan-I haven’t tried Gardein’s fish fillets yet – and now I feel I need these tonight! Love the cilantro slaw!

September 23, 2015 - 8:03 pm

MonicaP-Looks delish! I like Gardein products especially their chicken strips. I’ve never tried their fishless filets.

I’m not a 100% plant based eater although I do love vegan and vegetarian foods and try to eat these types of dishes on a regular basis.

Monica.

September 23, 2015 - 8:03 pm

Jen-First, can I just say, your blog is super cute! It’s like a ray of sunshine & put a smile on my face.

Second, okay, YUM! Now I have an idea for dinner – those fishless tacos look absolutely DELISH! Thank your for sharing! Maybe I’ll save some for my husband…maybe… 😉

My new house has a very very nice electric stove. Have I said enough. YEAH. I actually offered to leave all of my belongings when we moved from our old house, if I could just take my stove. I don’t think my husband beleived me but I would have.

September 24, 2015 - 12:13 pm

Rachel-Taco Tuesdays are a favorite night at our house. I’ve been thinking about getting a sombrero for the kids to wear. I really need to switch up the tacos I serve, and the fishless ones sound delicious plus I love cilantro.

Kimberly Gauthier-I’ve never heard of fishless filets. I’m considering going vegetarian. Right now, I mostly eat seafood. I’ve cut out pork and I’m working on the other proteins too. I love that there are so many options for vegans and vegetarians.